Bloomington Police Citizens Academy

Citizens Academy photos and videos

About the Police Citizens Academy

The Bloomington Police Citizens Academy is offered every fall. We have found the academy to be effective in enhancing communication between officers and citizens through the sharing of knowledge and information of police practices. Not only do you get to meet our officers but you get to tour the police department, go on a ride-along, participate in pursuit training and be involved in scenario night!

The 2019 academy will take place on Thursday nights from 6 - 9 p.m. for ten weeks during September 12 - November 14, 2019. The online application process will open May or June 2019, and the deadline is August 1, 2019. If you live, work or attend school in Bloomington, you are at least 18 years old and not a convicted felon, you are eligible to participate in the next Bloomington Police Citizens Academy. Class size is limited to 30 students. If we receive more than 30 applicants, there will be a lottery selection process.

There is no cost to attend, but due to the high demand for the class you are expected to commit to all 10 weeks.

Featured topics

Patrol and investigations duties, criminal law, daily traffic laws and DWI enforcement, crash investigations, response to resistance and aggression (use of force), and forensic analysis of evidence. You will also learn about specialty units within the patrol division such as, SWAT, crisis/hostage negotiations, bomb squad, K-9 unit, and crime scene investigation (CSI). There will also be an interactive scenarios and a live Taser demo.

What will you get from the 10 weeks?

At the conclusion of the program, participants will have a better understanding of the demands placed upon their police officers, the continuous and ever-changing training officers receive and the reality of how calls are handled. At the same time, officers gain valuable insight and feedback from the citizens they serve. The overall objective is to further a partnership in making Bloomington a great place to live, work and receive education!